Installing Fluorescents in Garage

I'm attempting to install a new fluorescent light fixture in my garage using the wiring from the current incandescent(?) fixture. The balast on the new fluorescent fixture has two wires coming out of it white and black. The problem I'm running into is that the current fixture has a lot more wires than expected. I've attached 3 pictures of the fixture box. It's hard to see, so here's a quick explanation.

There are two sets of wires(I'm assuming for two light switches) coming into the box on each side. Each set has a 3-wire group with black casing and a 4-wire group with gray casing. For organizations sake, I'll refer to each set as coming into the box from the left or right. The connections are:

Left 3 Wire(Black Casing):

Black wire connected to black wire on Right 3 wire(Black casing)

White wire connected to white wire on Right 3 wire(Black casing).This set was also connected to the light fixture.

Bare wire connected to all other bare wires coming from other sets

Left 4 Wire(Gray Casing):

Black wire connected to black wire on Right 4 wire(Gray casing)

Red wire connected to red wire on Right 4 wire(Gray casing)

White wire connected directly to light fixture.

Bare wire connected to all other bare wires coming from other sets

Right 3 Wire(Black Casing):

Black wire connected to black wire on Left 3 wire(Black casing)

White wire connected to white wire on Left 3 wire(Black casing).This set was also connected to the light fixture.

Bare wire connected to all other bare wires coming from other sets

Right 4 Wire(Gray Casing):

Black wire connected to black wire on Left 4 wire(Gray casing)

Red wire connected to red wire on Left 4 wire(Gray casing)

White wire connected to both black wires from the Left and Right 3 wire (Black Casing)set.

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

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Installing Fluorescents in Garage

Right 3 wire white should connect to the white on the fixture.
left 4-wire white should connect to black on the fixture.

The 3-way wiring system should be rewired with the red and white used as travelers so the black would feed power to and from the common terminals on the switches. It would simplify life for anyone dealing with it later.

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris75

Why do people remove stuff without taking notes?

I'm not sure if you're trying to insult me, but that's kind of ludicrous considering this is a DIY forum...of course I don't know what I'm doing. I bought this house two years ago and I'm attempting to fix ALL of the mistakes the original builder/electrician made.

If you don't have anything useful to post, don't post!

If it wasn't intended as an insult to me, please ignore my rant and further explain your comment.

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAIL

Right 3 wire white should connect to the white on the fixture.
left 4-wire white should connect to black on the fixture.

The 3-way wiring system should be rewired with the red and white used as travelers so the black would feed power to and from the common terminals on the switches. It would simplify life for anyone dealing with it later.

Thank you for the useful input. Just some clarification:

Do I leave the two white wires connected on the 3-wires or just use one of them to connect to the fixture?

Using your suggested changes for a 3-way system, would I even need the set of 3 wires (black casing)?

Any insight as to why there are four sets of wires coming into this box?

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

It's like taking the alternator out of your car and forgetting where all the bolts go.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.
Answers based on the 2008 & 2011 NEC.

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzrbkpk

I'm not sure if you're trying to insult me, but that's kind of ludicrous considering this is a DIY forum...of course I don't know what I'm doing. I bought this house two years ago and I'm attempting to fix ALL of the mistakes the original builder/electrician made.

If you don't have anything useful to post, don't post!

If it wasn't intended as an insult to me, please ignore my rant and further explain your comment.

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

For all of you telling me to take notes...take notes on WHAT??? I took the light fixture off and it looked exactly like what you see in the picture. I DID NOT INSTALL this. I unscrewed two screws and this is what I got.

Installing Fluorescents in Garage

Is it just me or did he take what looks to be pretty good notes? Did you guys read the original post? He tells you what came from where, what 3 wires were attached to the fixture, and what he's not even touched.